Camping IOUs & Pumpkin Patch

Well, my muscles DEMANDED their IOU from the camping trip -- it hurts when I stand up and sit down! Duncan is still talking about the trip -- I wish it was warm enough to go again before Spring.

Connor got to go on his first field trip at preschool today -- they went to the house of one of the school's teachers, and took a hayride (wagon pulled by tractor) and then got to "pick" pumpkins. Charles went along and took pictures for me. Connor looked like he was having a marvelous time in every one! They are having a Halloween parade Thursday morning, and their Halloween party. Charles will have to pinch hit for me at that one too. He's having a "hot dog lunch" the week of 11/10 -- I'll be able to attend that one at least. It really is nice to have him bring art home, and be excited about "school". Many thanks to the family benefactors who helped us make his preschool possible -- he is blossoming as he gets to go to school.

We have another busy week -- I had to turn in Duncan's popcorn sales tonite, tomorrow is a cub scout den meeting (they are making trail mix at one station), and then Wednesday is the church's fellowship dinner & Fall Festival, followed by Trunk-or-Treat. Friday starts Duncan's fall break from school.

Can you believe Connor will be 5 in less than a month? Where has the time gone?! I am so behind this year -- haven't STARTED on Christmas yet, and Connor's birthday is rushing up so fast. This week is our benefits enrollment for 2006 -- utterly depressing, let me tell you!

Camping

We're home -- and we had a great time. It wasn't warm, but it was dry (not even any morning dew)! We drove north about an hour from home to Rendevous Mountain in Wilkes County (closest town is Purlear, NC). Pretty country -- the leaves are starting to turn, and we were definitely up a mountain. I swear, no matter where I had to go Saturday or Sunday, it was uphill! We arrived around 11 am Saturday, and stayed til 10:30 am Sunday. A few select photos can be found here. It was a primitive site, except we had a picnic shelter and flush toilets. We camped in a tent, right near the shelter.

I was ever so grateful that alot of the dads/den leaders took a group hiking to the fire tower & civil war graveyard -- it was a 3.5 mile hike! After that the kids played on the trails until dinner time. It was a very relaxing afternoon. Every kid there ate every bite of their supper (no wonder!) and then after dinner we made s'mores over the fire -- YUM. Then the kids played "flashlight tag" for at least an hour. The adults laughed that any four legged critter in hearing distance ran from the noise! Duncan finally fell asleep about 9:15 pm. I then got to taste a WONDERFUL beef stew made in a dutch oven over fireplace coals -- talk about GOOD!

I didn't sleep well, and just like a clock, Duncan woke up promptly at 5:50 am. The kids who were up early stood around the fire and enjoyed making flames by burning boxes. Little pyromaniacs! Then breakfast was served about 8:30 am -- pancakes & sausage. The leaders gathered up the boys to sweep the camping area for trash, then took them on the Talking Tree trail. After that we headed home.

Lessons learned from my trip:

1. Out of shape, overweight 40 yr old women aren't meant to rough it.
2. It's worth the effort to bring an air mattress!
3. Tent manufacturer's lie about how many people a tent will hold.
4. A level campsite is very important -- be early so you get one (note, we weren't early).
5. Anything cooked over a campfire tastes yummy.
6. My mother-in-law was right, campgrounds entertain kids for HOURS.
7. Always, ALWAYS be sure the bag with your clothes makes it in the car.
8. I need better sleeping bags and a bigger tent!
9. Despite being cold, and grungy, it's still possible to have a great time -- your muscles don't collect the IOU until you get home!

Sooo, I'll be tent shopping this winter in preparation for the family trip in the spring. Duncan is already asking to go back next weekend!

Sorry!

OK OK... anyone whose blog I visited recently and thought "Why haven't they updated??", I apologize! We've had a busy week since our last entry. Tuesday night was the den meeting. They covered achievement 7 (Law Enforcement is a big job), and had a special visitor in Officer Oliver. They did GREAT sitting and listening.



Connor & Duncan both went to choir practice Wednesday night. Connor's group is starting to work on their music for the Christmas holidays. He's really enjoying the new preschool, and he gets to go on his first field trip on Monday (to the pumpkin patch!)

Friday night was our October pack meeting. We had a special guest, the "Mad Scientist". The boys really liked his show. Then it was time for den awards -- you can see pictures of Duncan getting his first progress bead and his marbles belt loop on the photo page.

This weekend we didn't do much -- I'm shopping for some odds and ends camping equipment for the pack Parent/Son Camporee this coming weekend. I'm on a pretty tight budget -- only my secret shopping $$ has to cover what I need. I think I'm going to have to borrow sleeping pads (to go under sleeping bags), but otherwise I think I have it covered.

Any reality tv fans out there? I'm watching America's Next Top Model on Wednesdays, and then Survivor: Guatemala on Thursdays. And in my spare time (ha) I'm working on Christmas presents, and trying to work on decluttering this house.

Anyhoo... sorry it's been so long between entries. More by Monday for sure -- I'll have pictures from camping!

Children's Sunday

Today was Childrens' Sunday at church -- almost everything but the benediction was presented by the children of the church. Our Connor attended one rehearsal, and gladly got up and sang with the preschool choir! He also participated in the processional where the kids gave teddy bears to the local children's hospital, and then came down front to listen to the children's sermon -- I was one PROUD mama. Duncan got scared and wouldn't do the processional, but he did very well sitting with us in the balcony. My mother-in-law was up for a visit, and she came to church with us too.

Fairs, Choirs and other things

Duncan's class had a marvelous time at the fair! The weather was crappy, but they still enjoyed it. We saw most of the animal exhibits, two shows (All the Kings Horses & Flying Canines), ate some fair food, and enjoyed ourselves. Once his class left Charles & Connor joined us along with our friends the Tomihiro's. The kids got to eat more fair food, ride rides, see exhibits (including Duncan's 1st place art exhibit!!!), and we finally left tired as we could be.

Act two on Wednesday -- Lisa & Bob had invited us to a special Wednesday night supper at their church since a local restaurant was catering it. Towards the end of supper, Connor Tomihiro (who's six months older than our Connor) gets up to go to children's choir, and invites our Connor to come along. OK cool, I'm thinking, our Connor gets to watch. When I go to check on him later, they ask me if it's ok if he sings with them on Sunday!! So my baby is singing at their special Children's Sunday tomorrow. We've been talking for a long time about joining a church, and Lisa & Bob have certainly been courting us to theirs since they met us. So we are finally taking the plunge. Duncan is going to start going to the choir for his age next Wednesday as well.

Back to Tuesday -- I had my first opportunity to go to one of Duncan's den meetings. I am really impressed with his den leader. She has planned for the whole den to get their bear badge by the January pack meeting -- she works achievements into the meetings. I even got to teach a station -- gulp! Thirteen third grade boys... Duncan will get his first belt loop award next Friday -- they all learned to play marbles. You can bet I'll have pictures!!!

Check out the photo blog -- I'll post pictures from this week there in a minute!

Indoor Surfing, better PreSchool, Fairs etc.

Busy week and it's only Monday! My husband tried indoor surfing last night, check here for the results! We were afraid it was a rotating fracture of his big toe, but the orthepedist said it looked more like he dropped something heavy on it from the xray (he didn't, I watched him fall).

We enrolled Connor in a better pre-school starting next Monday -- wooHOO. Five days a week, and a more school oriented program. The last month at KidSpot helped get the potty issues under control (at least away from home). Wednesday brings the Dixie Classic Fair, and I'll be accompanying Duncan's class to the fair. We had planned to make it a family day at the fair, but it will depend on how Charles feels.

My niece Hanna is still hospitalized, but the reports are improving. Thanks to all of you who have sent prayers her way!

Silly Blog Stuff

Your Blog Should Be Purple

You're an expressive, offbeat blogger who tends to write about anything and everything.You tend to set blogging trends, and you're the most likely to write your own meme or survey.You are a bit distant though. Your blog is all about you - not what anyone else has to say.

Prayers

My niece Hanna is ill at the moment, so please forgive me if I'm not updating as much -- my mind is on worrying about my brother's family.

Catch Up for My New Readers

Got a comment a few days back questioning something I said. Since I know I've gotten some new readers, let me "catch you up". My husband Charles & I have been married for 9 years, and we have two children, Duncan (9), and Connor (almost 5). We've been having some issues over the past few years, and have even been to counseling. Charles has bipolar disease, and we've had a rough summer with him as he had a major episode in June. Since then we are balancing getting his meds straightened out, finding the right therapist, and dealing with stress issues with both kids. If you truly want to know more than that, email me at cfodel@triad.rr.com and I'll fill you in.

Blog About Yourself Poll

OK, Brianna had this on her blog, and said she expected us to do it as well. Here ya go lady!

1. What is your dream occupation? Working in theatre as a professional stage manager

2. What color is your underwear? It varies -- todays is a pink/purple floral

3. What are you listening to right now? Connor playing on the stairs behind me

4. What was the last thing you ate? A flavored tootsie roll

5. Do you wish on stars? yes

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Green

7. How is the weather right now? sunny, warm

8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? my friend Penny

10. How old are you today? 40

11. Favorite drink? Diet Coke

12. Favorite sport to watch? figure skating

13. Have you ever dyed your hair? Only wash out color

14. Do you wear contacts or glasses? glasses

15. Pets? Fish

16. Favorite month? October

17. Favorite food? Steak

18. What was the last movie you watched? March of the Penguins

19. Favorite day of the year? Christmas

20. What do you do to vent anger? yell, kill electronic blips in video games

21. What was your favorite toy as a child? not sure

22. Fall or Spring? Fall

23. Hugs or kisses? hugs

24. Cherry or Blueberry? yuck, neither =)

28. Living arrangements ? Own my home, live with my husband & two children

29. When was the last time you cried? about two days ago

30. What is on the floor of your closet? lots of junk

31. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Missy -- been friends since college (1983)

32. What did you do last night? Read the cubscout handbook

33. Favorite smell? lately? eucalyptus/spearmint

34. What inspires you? people who can move me with their stories

35. What are you afraid of? snakes

36. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese

37. Favorite car? not sure

38. Favorite type of dog? mutts

39. Number of keys on your key ring? 4

40. How many years at your current job? 15

41. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

42. How many states have you lived in? 6 - Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Texas, North Carolina

43. How many cities have you lived in? 9 - Baltimore, MD, California, MD, Mechanicsville, MD, Lynchburg, VA, Concord, VA, Youngstown, OH, Plano, TX, Flint, MI, Winston-Salem, NC

The Bobcat Trail

I started working with Duncan tonite on his 8 achievements to get his Bobcat badge. The first one is to learn the cub scout promise. Any experienced moms of cub scouts out there? I'm just wondering how long it takes for these things... he's about to explode about "getting a badge", and it's not registering that this takes work rather than simply desire.

Anyhoo.... hope this finds everyone well!

A New Cub Scout

Please do check out the photo blog -- we now have a cub scout in our family! Duncan officially joined the cub scouts on Friday night at the pack meeting (Pack 752), and we got his uniform over the weekend and he had his first den meeting last night. They listed to the Lewisville librarian give them a history of the town, and she gave them a chance to pan for "gold", and then made friendship bracelets. His classmate Comfort is also in his pack. He's really excited about this, except we're having trouble explaining that you don't just "get" badges, you have to earn them. First step on the bobcat trail is learning the cub scout promise -- we start on that tonite!

Connor continues to go to his MMO program and he's having a great time. I gotta run to work now, we're hiring another teammate and we have a candidate in today for interviews so I gotta get there.

Bye!

Quotes from Oprah, and Apologies

I got the stomach flu this week, and have been kinda out for the count, or at least severely limited. Sorry! I want to share a lovely quote I found on another blog:

"every day, passion speaks to us through our feelings. that's why when you allow yourself to become anesthetized by what others think, you literally block yourself from living the life you were called to live. i promise you that if you make a choice that doesn't please your mate, your friends, your mother, or whoever, the world will not fall apart -- the people who truly love you want you to love yourself. and as you become clearer about who you really are, you'll be better able to decide what is best for you -- the first time around." ~Oprah Winfrey

To me, this is what blogging is about, our passions, our thoughts -- and the freedom to express it. Some of the nonsense that prompted her to use this (getting blasted for NOT commenting on Katrina) made me glad I'm not a "popular" blogger. This is about ME. I'm thrilled if others get something from it, but it's about what I need to express.

I did update the photo blog today after taking a few days off. We are supposed to have our (mostly) weekly "date" with our friends at their church playground tomorrow for supper if Ophelia lets us. Friday brings our first cub scout meeting with Duncan -- I hope he likes the folks there and wants to join. Connor has been busy doing pages in the workbook Grandma sent him, and having a large time at "school".

Since I've been home sick for a few days, I've, well, been home. I'm worried about Charles -- he sure isn't doing much. I know alot of it he blames on me -- *I* make him sad. Oh, well. I wish I could use that excuse at work and still get paid, KWIM??? I've still got very sore ribcage muscles from vomiting earlier in the week, so I haven't been doing much physical even as I've started to feel better. Our friend Roger came over tonite for the first time in weeks and shared our spaghetti supper with us. It was nice to see him, but I worry about him too -- he's unemployed (again) and very negative at the moment. Don't get me wrong -- he's entitled to be negative, but I worry that it will impede him getting another job.

Anyways, it's way too late, let me try to sleep again.

Saturday

Ahhh, the weekend -- too bad my kids still get up at like 6am! I feel very domestic this morning, I made them scrambled eggs, bacon & toast for breakfast. Normally we do muffins, cold cereal or frozen waffles for breakfast.

I'm doing some scrapbooking today -- my favorite online site, Scrap Addict, is having an anniversary cyber crop. There are some pretty amazing prizes, so I'll be cropping today, as well as playing bingo.

I am so enjoying the fall weather -- the crisp, cool mornings are so nice to sleep in during! It still gets humid and warm in the late afternoons, but otherwise I consider this almost perfect weather!

Blog Spammers

OK, I've turned on word verification for comments -- tired of getting blog spam, I get enough in my email. If anyone DOESN"T know how to do it, send me an email and I'll explain.

Fall

Ahhh, what wonderful weather we are having -- this is my favorite season. It's still a little humid in the late afternoon/early evening, but we have opened the windows and broken out the fans. It's delightful in the mornings.

Connor has started a "mother's morning out" program 4 days a week to get him over the potty training hump (and hopefully into "real" preschool in October). He has come home happy and tired both days. Charles hasn't gotten a huge amount done around the house, but I'm trying not to be judgemental til he's on this schedule a week or so. Duncan has started homework again -- yesterday he had to write a "movie plot" using his spelling words! His teacher tells me it will only get tougher as the year goes on. He has 3rd grade "pre-testing" next week; they test at the beginning of a year to establish a benchmark for the end-of-grade testing in May.

I'm having fun with some photo challenges over at Scrap Addict; you see the results in my photo blog from the Photo-A-Day one, and now we are doing a scavenger hunt one as well. I really need to work on the lighting on my inside photos, sheesh!

BackPacks, Girls Night Out, and Other Stuff

Hurray for holiday weekends! It's so nice to know I don't have to go to work tomorrow! I'm actually going to a free scrapbook crop tomorrow from 10-2.

We had company Friday -- my friend Stacy is out east visiting family, and came to see us with her friend Laura. The "girls" went out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner, then off to the mall to help Laura spend a gift card at Hecht's. Stacy brought her dog Thunder -- the kids really enjoyed his visit.

Saturday I headed out for a round of secret shopping ( a fast food one) then Charles & I put the kids at Kid Spot so we could run some errands. We found gas again for $2.99, and topped off the tank. We hit Target and got a deal -- both kids needed backpacks. I guess I didn't realize how much Connor was ready for some of the "trappings" of big-boy-ness. When I tried his backpack on him, he sighed, got a serious face, and announced "I need some homework!" He carried the backpack everywhere with him the rest of the evening, including to bed. He had filled it with toys and books -- he took a book out of it for me to read to him at bedtime, and then told me he had to put it away in his backpack!

I also went shopping for a new accordian file to put Duncan's school paperwork in this year -- didn't find what I wanted, so I'll empty and old one and reuse. I can already see from his homework so far that's he's digressed in his handwriting -- this will be the first year he hasn't had OT at school so hopefully practice will get him going again!

We still haven't gotten Connor enrolled in a "real" preschool, (due to the potty issues), but I think we have something figured out for September that is a transitional thing. He'll start four days a week on Tuesday.

Hump Day Ponderings

My boss told me this morning she was going to change my title to "Bonnie's Personal Translator" because, as she puts it, "I know I'm speaking english, but they sure don't seem to understand it!" At least my day started with a laugh!

I felt like I hit the lottery today -- I filled up my gas tank this morning at $2.55/gallon. By the time I left work it was $2.99/gallon. My MIL says they are worried that Charlotte will run out of gas here soon due to no deliveries in the past few days. I am really worried about gas prices.

Duncan had a bad day at school. Charles screwed up and gave him his night time meds this morning -- third time in a year this has happened. So I now have to make it MY job to give him his medications. Connor had a pretty good day today -- Charles put them both in our inflatable pool this afternoon so they got some much needed outside time.

I'm off to go work on some scrapbooking stuff!

Almost "Fall"

Wow, is it really the last day of August tomorrow? Duncan continues to get great notes from school -- although he argued alot about ordinals repeatedly during homework last night. He actually fell asleep on the couch tonite -- check out the photo-a-day log I'm keeping to see.

We have a busy weekend upcoming -- I've got two secret shops to do, my friend Stacy is supposed to come in to visit Friday night, and Charles' mom is headed in on Saturday. Duncan & Connor need backpacks, I desparately need to edge the yard, and I'm behind on some Christmas gifts I'm working on. Ah well, we'll see what gets done!

Third Grade

And so the first day of third grade begins! I took several pictures of Duncan at the bus stop this morning, but this was the only one where he didn't give me a "serious" face. We was actually easy to get up and moving this morning which surprised me. His planner note said he had a great day, and when he got home he went right to his homework. WooHOO!